Auto Mobiles

Last October 27, 2006 at the Arena Civica in Milan, Italy, the Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Eos and a host of other stunning automobiles emerged victorious at the XIV L’Automobile più Bella del Mondo or The World’s Most Beautiful Automobile” competition for 2006. The international jury led by Bruno Alfieri, the Italian journalist and editor who created the awards back in 1993, chose the best looking cars in various categories such as city cars and compact cars, mid-size hatchback, limousine, coupe, spider, station wagon, concept cars and many more.

After examination of the various new models introduced in 2006, the jury proclaimed the winners in their respective categories. However, upon a closer look on the list of winners, one can see that Japanese and American cars are conspicuously absent from the list. Europe does offer some of the most stunning of automobiles, but do they have the monopoly when it comes to aesthetics? We don’t think so. Still, the list offers a veritable showdown of some of the most beautiful cars ever to grace the road.

City cars and compact cars: Mini Cooper

Mid-size hatchback cars: Volvo C30

Mid-size sedans: Volvo S80

Limousine: Bentley Continental GTC

Coupé: Mercedes CL

Coupé-cabriolet: Volkswagen Eos

Spider: Alfa Romeo Spider

Sportscars: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Station wagon: Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon

MPV: Citroën C4 Picasso

Crossover: Audi Q7

Specials: Studiotorino RK Coupé

Concept Cars: Renault Twingo Concept

2006 Ferrrari 599 GTB Fiorano

A leaked “global master plan” revealed Toyota Motor Corp.’s plan: to take a 14% share of the world car market by 2010. The report by the Wall Street Journal said that Toyota, currently the second largest global automaker, is on track to overtake GM as the world’s biggest car maker by grabbing 14% of the global automotive market, up from 11% in 2005.

The plan expects that Toyota’s global auto ales will reach 73 million vehicles by 2010. In 2005, Toyota sold over 65 million vehicles worldwide. To meet this burgeoning demand, the report said Toyota will increase production its plants in China and India. A new minicar that is geared towards families in developing countries is supposedly also in the works.

Meanwhile, Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco declined to comment on the supposed plan adding that the Toyota has no concrete plans yet to offer a new minicar model. However, he confirmed that Toyota is indeed targeting developing markets including Russia, China, India and Brazil.